How To Remodel Your Home Office

Posted on July 11, 2022July 7, 2022 by Jason Somers

Whether you are working entirely from home or have started to work at home more often, you may find that the current room you work from doesn’t provide you with the perfect environment. If you find yourself in this situation, consider remodeling your home office to make it function more like a standard office or cubicle. When you decide to remodel your home office, you should first identify how much this project will cost, which depends on the scope of the project. Home office remodels can cost anywhere from $5,000-$30,000.

If you want to design a home office space that meets your needs, you should first determine what role this room will serve. Do you want it to be a remote workspace that you spend time in a couple days per week or a a room designed solely to be operated as a place of business? Once you identify what you want the room to be, you can focus on outfitting the room with the amenities, features, and design that you want from a home office.

While there are many considerations that you should take into account when remodeling your home office, a top consideration involves selecting a room that you can perform office-related tasks in without too many distractions. It’s highly recommended that you choose a room that doesn’t gain a lot of traffic throughout the day, which should keep distractions and interruptions at a minimum.

The type of job you have may also place a role in the areas you focus on with your home office remodel. For instance, you should consider investing in an ergonomic and comfortable chair if you tend to sit for lengthy periods of time while performing your everyday tasks. This guide details everything you should know about what it takes to remodel a home office.

How Much Does It Cost to Remodel My Home Office?

When you start budgeting for your home office remodel, there are many expenses that you’ll need to factor into your calculations. Total costs will largely depend on the size of the room that’s being remodeled and the number of changes that are being made. In the event that your home office is meant to be a smaller portion of a more extensive home remodel that applies to numerous rooms, certain costs may be more difficult to estimate. For instance, the demolition and electricity costs can be challenging to break down if multiple rooms are being remodeled.

As mentioned previously, home remodels can cost anywhere from $5,000-$30,000. In general, you can expect these projects to come in at a price of roughly $80-$120 per square foot. The various expenses that make up the total costs include adding new rooms, implementing quiet spaces, installing smart tech and obtaining building permits. In fact, building permits alone can cost more than $1,000 depending on where you live. Keep in mind that building permits are necessary for many remodeling projects.

If you need to demolish one or more load-bearing walls, these tasks can cost anywhere from $1,000-$10,000. Adding built-in desks or cabinets may cost you $1,000-$3,900. If a quiet room is important to you, soundproofing a room can add upwards of $300-$2,500 to total project costs. All costs can vary depending on the size of the office, the contractor you use, and the current market conditions. If you want to obtain accurate estimates before work begins, seek quotes from several different contractors, which should give you more precise calculations when compared to online estimates.

Top 5 Home Office Renovations

If you know that you want to remodel your home office but are still unsure of what this remodel should look like, consider collecting ideas and inspiration for your home office, which will make it easier for you to determine project cost.

5. Lounge Area

Comfortability and intimacy within your home office can help improve workflow and overall feasibility. Once a lounge area is added to your home office, you should have a considerable amount of flexibility to move around and remain somewhat active during the work day. Whenever you need to make a call or take a break, a comfortable chair or sofa is just a few feet away.

If a friend or family member enters the room to speak with you, they’ll have a place to sit during the conversation. Creating a small lounge area is much easier than it might appear at first glance and only requires adding some pieces of furniture, lighting, and a side table. These additions should make your home office much more versatile.

4. Soundproofing

Soundproofing is a great way to reduce the noise that enters the room, which should improve your ability to be productive and focus on the work ahead of you. Many homeowners forget this addition when renovating their home office. However, it may prove to be invaluable whenever family members are home or your neighbor is mowing their yard. For how beneficial soundproofing is, it’s relatively affordable with an average cost that can range from $300-$2,500 depending on the size of the room and the quality of the soundproofing.

3. Custom/Modular Storage

Storage is able to significantly improve flexibility and productivity with your work. Without enough storage, your desk will likely turn into a dump where all of your papers and office supplies remain as you perform your day-to-day tasks. If you want to perform your work efficiently, properly storing your office supplies and documents is essential. There are two great storage options at your disposal, which include custom storage and modular storage.

While custom shelving can be expensive, it’s a highly functional addition to a home office that allows you to design every facet of the shelving and make sure that it suits your needs perfectly. As for modular shelving, this option is known to provide flexibility by allow storage space to be increased over time. Shelving pieces can be removed or added from the unit as needed.

2. Multiple Productivity Stations

There are many benefits associated with having a multipurpose home office. In fact, this type of office can be highly beneficial for electric and construction contractors that require a home office for some tasks but don’t want the room to solely function as an office. While many homeowners used coffee tables and dining room tables as their desks once the COVID-19 pandemic began, these are only temporary solutions. The many advantages that come with having a multipurpose home office include:

• More peace and quiet while you work
• Tax advantages since certain home office expenses can be deducted
• A healthier environment for your work
• The freedom to create a work space that meets your exact needs

Regardless of how much work you need to do in your home office, it’s highly recommended that you set aside a room that can be used as a multipurpose office room. This area should be comfortable and cozy while still providing you with the ideal place for completing your office tasks. Keep in mind that location is essential. If you expect to spend numerous hours each day in this office, try to select a room that offers an ample amount of space.

You should also avoid sacrificing form for function. The shelving, desk, and storage you install in the room should serve your needs. When identifying the accessories that should be added to the room, think of the work you do and what items will help you be more productive. You should also make sure that your home office still complements the other areas in your home instead of being designed to look just like an in-office cubicle. As touched upon previously, consider investing in a premium office chair that includes extra cushioning and is designed to be ergonomic.

1. Productivity and Comfortability Hacks

There are a wide range of productivity and comfortability hacks that you should look into. Some of the more basic amenities that you may want to consider adding to your home office include whiteboards, coffee machines, and mini-fridges. While it’s easy to focus too much on how aesthetically appealing your home office is, a remodel shouldn’t only focus on appearances. The purpose of a home office is to help you be more comfortable, productive, and efficient. Adding a coffee machine or whiteboard can support these goals.

Because of how important it is to move around during the work day, having a whiteboard installed in your home office may be the perfect addition. You’ll be motivated to stand up and use the whiteboard for brainstorming or taking notes. When you think of another task that needs to be completed before the end of the day, it can be added to the whiteboard in a second.

While it might seem counterproductive to add a mini fridge or coffee machine to your home office, not doing so means that you need to go to the kitchen whenever you want to grab a snack or a cup of water, which can distract you from your work. Enhancing the comfortability and productivity of your home office should pay dividends in keeping you focused while the workday is ongoing.

How Should I Plan and Design My Home Office Remodel?

If you want to minimize costs and promptly execute your home office remodel, there are several steps you should take during this process. First, make sure that you prepare for any unexpected costs. Whether last minute changes occur or your preferred materials are unavailable, home remodels don’t always go according to plan, which may result in you needing to spend more money.

If you go into a remodeling project with a strict budget, there’s a good chance that you’ll end up cutting corners or being forced to spend more than you can afford. Add a buffer of 2-5% to your budget to make sure that you can cover any unexpected costs. You might also want to think about taking out a renovation loan, which could allow you to complete your dream home office remodel even if you don’t have enough cash on hand.

A simple yet effective way to cut costs is by using the Facebook Marketplace to obtain recycled decor and furniture at a discount. You should also create a priority list for your remodel that lists each item of the remodel in categories of needs and wants. Your first goal should be to make sure that you can afford every item that’s listed under the “Needs” section. If you have any remaining budget, feel free to add some or all of the items in the “Wants” section.

Remodeling your home office can be a fantastic investment that helps you acclimate to a new setting while also making you more productive. Above all, the suggestions mentioned in this guide indicate that your home office remodel can be practically anything you want it to be.